Fire-escape



(No Model.)

J. P. DUNN.

FIRE ESCAPE.

4 Sheets-Sheet. 1.

Patented Nov. 14, 1882.

4 Sheets-Sheet; 2.

(No Model.)

J. P. DUNN.

, FIRE ESCAPE. N0. 267,504;

Patented Nov. 14,1882.

Jim-11 12mm.

4 Sheets-Sheet 3. J. .P. DUNN.

FIRE ESCAPE.

(No Model.)

Patented Nov. 14, 1882.

mine/ ases.

N. PETERS. Phololflhogmpha 4 Sheets sheet 4.

(N0 Model.)

J. P, DUNN.

FIRE ESCAPE.

Patented Nov. 14, .1882.

fiz'renfwr Ji arl? JJW 05. A

ilnirnn STATES ATENT tries.

J. PARIS DUNN, OF BROOKLYN, NEW YORK.

FIRE-ESCAPE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 267,504, dated November14, 1882,

Application filed March 6, 1882. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, J. PARIS DUNN, a citizenof the United States, residing at Brooklyn, in the county of Kings andState of New York, have im'ented new and useful Improvements inFire-Escapes, of which the following is a specification.

In another application for Letters Patent filed by me I have shown afire-escape similar in some respects to that herein described and shown;and the present invention consists in certain improvements upon theorganization and apparatus exhibited in that application, whichimprovements will hereinafter fully be set forth.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a vertical section takenthrough the windows of a house having my improved fire-escape appliedthereto. Fig.2 is a similar View, with the spring-receptacle for theoutside rail of the lower section of the ladder to fall upon whentripped. Fig. 3 is a detail vertical section through the casing of thefire-escape, showing the pivoted laddersand the tripping arrangements.Fig. 4 is a transverse section through the casing; Fig. 5, a detailview, showing the form of joint between the sections of ladder. Fig. 6is a vertical section through the lower part of the casing, showing thewater-pipes which pass up through the casing and the lever arrangementfor turning on the water when thelower section of the ladder is throwndown. Fig. 7 is a transverse section, showing the water-pipe projectinginto an apartment of the house. Fig. 8 is a transverse section, showingmy improved fire-escape built into the wall of a house. Fig. 9 is a viewsimilar to Fig. 1, with the lower section of the ladder thrown out, andincludes a modification. Fig. 10 is a vertical part section and partelevation, which includes a modification; and Fig. 11 is a detail viewof the catch I engaging directly with one of the rounds. Fig. 12 is adetail sectional view illustrating the ladder-casing, and also showingthe ladder-rail in cross-section.

As indicated in the drawings, my improvements may be applied to housesalready built, the parts being inclosed in a casing, A, which extends upthe side of the house close to the windows, so as to be easilyaccessible from them, and of course the fire-escape will be appliedprincipally to houses already erected; but it can built into the wallsof houses in course of v erection, as shown in Fig. 8, in which eventthe casing will be flush with the wall, and will not of course beobtrusive in appearance.

It will be observed that the fire-escape consists of a series ofladders, three, 0, D, and E, being shown, one for each story of thebuilding. The rounds F of these ladders are each hinged or pivoted at fto the sides F of the ladders at their outer ends, the inner ends of therounds being pivoted at 9 between the vertical walls G G. The rounds Fare extended, as at g. somewhat beyond their pivots in the walls G, sothat when the ladders fall out, when they are to be used, the roundswill be sustained between the two pins or studs h h, and all strain bethus taken OK the pivots g. Each section of the ladder is provided witha tripping device to throw the ladder down and out when it is requiredfor use, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. One of these trips, H, which alsoholds the ladder folded up in place, as shown in Fig. 3, consists of apivoted jaw or latch, I, which is held in normal position bya coiledspring, t. This latch engages with a catch, '5, on one of the rounds F,or in a notch in said round, as shown in Fig. 11 of the laddersection,and it is operated from the outside of the casing bya key which caneasily be reached fron'ioneof thewindows of the building. When thislatch is thrown down, so as to be disengaged from the catch on theladder-round, the ladder-section will of course fall outward anddownward, and will be sustained in the proper position by the studs 71h. The other tripping device consists of a series of vertically-slidingbars, J, one for each ladder-section, These tripping-bars are connectedby a pin, j, in one bar, which works in a slot, j, in the bar next aboveit, and they are so arranged that the pin rests in the bottom of theslot, so that the tripping of one section of the ladder will not disturbthe sections above, but the tripping of any section above will trip allthe sections below it, as will be hereinafter set forth. The

end of the pivoted latch I rests in a notch, F,

in the tripping-bar J, so that when the bar is thrown up itwill'disengage the latch from the catch on the ladder-round and allowthe section of the ladder to fall out. Instead of the slot-and-pinconnection, however, chainsj as shown in Figs. 9 and 10, can be used forconnecting the ends of the bars J. The sliding tripping-baris operatedby a pivoted lever, K, within the apartment. This lever connects with abell-crank lever, k, which is connected by a link, 7r, with thevertically-sliding tripping-bar J. By ope ating the lever the bar isthrown up and the ladder-section is allowed to fall out, as abovedescribed. In order, however, to positively insure the falling outof theladder-section, I provide a cam-lever, L, which is pivoted in the wallsG, and the inner end of which rests in a notch or slot in thetrippingbar. lts outer cam end, I, bears upon a round of the ladder, sothat when the tripping-bar is thrown up to trip the ladder the cam end 6is forced against the pivoted round of theladder and forces it out, thusovercoming any binding or sticking that might' occur, due to ice, or torusting of the parts, or to any other cause.

The lower section of the ladder operates an alarm, M, of any ordinaryconstruction, one of which alarms can be placed in one or more oftheapartments of every floor by which the ladder passes, as shown inFig. 9. A linkrod, m, extending from the end of one of theladder-rounds, preferably the one carrying the catch which engages withthe trippinglatch I, is connected with a bell'cranlt lever, m, the otherarm of which, m operates a chain or wire, in, which connects directlywith the alarm in such manner that when the ladder-section is trippedand thrown out the alarm will be sounded. Thus, in case of fire,shouldanyone of the ladder-sections be thrown out by the person in thebuilding discovering the tire, the ringing of the alarm would givewarning to other occupants of the house; and should the section thrownout be the top one or one of the upper ones, it would trip all thesections below it, as will presently be described, and ring theirrespective alarms, and thus give warning of danger.

l have said that the alarms M are of any ordinary construction; but theyshould be so constructed that when the wire m connected with a pulley inthe alarm,is drawn down and unwound by the ladder-section being foldedup into place it will wind up or compress its spring, so that it will bein order to ring when the ladder-section isagain tripped and thrown out.Where several alarms are employed each alarm mechanism will be connectedwith the chain or wire m by a suitable wire or chain, on, (see Fig. 9,)so that when the ladder is thrown out all of the alarms will be sounded,thus giving notice of the fire to the occupants of each floor. Theseshort chains or wires in will pass through openings in the wall of thebuilding, and will pass over suitable pulleys mounted either withintheladder-casing or in hearings secured to the wall of the buildin Asthe pins on the vertically-sliding trippingbars rest in the bottoms ofthe slots in the bars next above, the throwing up of the upper bars willdraw up all those below it, and thus should the topmost bar be operatedit would throw out all the ladder-sections and afford means for escapefrom the top of the house down.

As an additional means of safety to the inmates of the building and aconvenience to the fire department, it is designed to place on eachladder, if so desired, a fire-alarm box, S, securely locked and undercontrol of the fire or other authorized departments, as shown in Fig.10, and hereinafter described. Attached to the upper end of'the uppersection of the sliding tripping-barJ is a chain or cable which passesover a pulley,j,Fig.10,and then down within the ease near the ground,where it. will be attached to alever,y, within the alarm box S. Theobject of this arrangement is that -should the building be discovered tobe on tire on the roof or elsewhere by persons outside the house, amember of the fire department having the key to the alarm-box could openthe ladder its entire length by operating said lever, thus alarming allthe inmates of the building and notifying them to escape, and alsoaffording facilities for the members of the tire department to reach thetlames at once.

In order to give a secure joint between the ends of the ladder-sectionsto prevent lateral play or separation of the ladders from any cause, Imake a notch or recess, 01, in the upper end of the inner plate, N, onthe side of each ladder section, and correspondingly shape the lowerend, a, of the ladder-section next above, so that the parts areinterlocked and rendered rigid and secure.

In order to prevent the ends of the section from being battered when theladder is tripped and thrown out, itisdesigned to place a springcushion,S in the sidewalk or flagging, onto which spring-cushion the lower endof the outside rail will fall when opened. The spring can be made ofsolid rubber, or of a spiral spring or its equivalent, and placed in abox, T, Fig. 9.

It will be obvious that, no matter how high the ladder, each round hastwo stops or pins, h h, with which to sustain its own weight, so thatwhether there may be one or six sections tripped and thrown out at atime the strain on the pins would be the same.

It is designed to put a metal covering on top of the s )ring-cushion andto place the springcushion in such. position that when the ladder isopened the lower end of the lower outside rail will strike it before therounds strike the stops or pins h h. By this arrangement it will beobserved that even if one or more of the lower sections shall have beenopened before the upper ones, this device will still act as a spring forsaid upper sections, and will prevent any battering of the ends of saidsections when they strike.

The great objection to outside fire-escapes is their liability of beingwet, or coated with ice, or rendered slippery from frost, thus becomingpractically useless. It has been shown,

however, that this device is closed and therefore not liable to theabove objection; yet as a further protection it is designed (when sodesired) to cover. the rounds or steps with rubber or cloth. This willalso obviate the necessity of takinghold of frostyliron in cold weather.Where no covering is used on the rounds or steps the round itself may becorrugated, so that a person can get a firm hold without the liabilityof slipping off. The rounds can be made of tubing for lightness, andthey can be cast with the hinge on, or the hinge may be cast separateand fastened to the round by means ofa screw or pin.

In order to give a supply of water in case of fire, I bring water-pipes0 up from the ground through the casing A, and on each of the verticalwalls G. These pipes areeonnected with pipes 0, Figs. 2 and 7, whichextend into each apartment with which the fire'escape is connected. Thepipes 0 are provided with stopcocks 0, and are screw-threaded at 0 forthe reception of a hose, which can be keptin some convenient placewithin the apartment, and, if desired, could be permanently attached tothe pipe. The water is turnedon by a cock, P, operated by alever-connection, 1), attached to the lower'round of thelowerladder-section, as shown in Fig. 6, so that when that section is throwndown for use the cock P will be opened. When the ladder is closed itshuts the water off from the pipe and opens an escape,p, which will beprovided, to allow the water in the pipe to run out into any suitablepipe, which can connect with the street-sewer. Of course the arrangementfor supplying water above described may be omitted and the fire-escapeused without it, if desired.

My improved fire-escape does not mar the appearance of the building,like the unsightly stairways and other devices which have sometimes beenemployed; but, as shown in the drawings, the ladder folds up snugly inthe case A, the sides F being rounded and fitting over the edges of thecase present a smooth, finished appearance. It afif'ords most amplemeansofescapeand of warningallthe occupants of the buildingofdangerincase of fire. It is so constructed as to be perfectly strong and safe,and is so simple that'it may be operated by the most ignorant person.Should the lower sectiononly be needed in case of fire, it alone will bethrown out for use, while there will always be a passage to the groundfrom whatever point at which the escape may be needed.

Of course much of the apparatus above described is similar to that shownin my other application above referred to but I have deemed it best tofully describe the construction herein shown, in order that theinvention may be fully understood without reference to that application.

If desired, a weight, i could be substituted for the spring t on leverI, as shown in Fig.

11, whereby the defects incident to the use of springs--such as theirliability to become weakened by long use- -will be avoided.

In Fig. 12 I have shown means for transmitting a signal to an enginehouse or station when the ladder is thrown out or unfolded. This signalapparatus can be constructed in a variety of ways; that shown, however,being sufficient to illustrate my invention. figure, It indicates themain wire in an electric circuit, and r a combined circuit maker andbreaker, consisting of a pivoted lever connected at one end by aninsulated cord, wire, or rod with the alarm mechanism M, alreadydescribed. The pivot of this lever forms the contact-point with one endof the wire, the other contact being indicated at r. This lever is soconnected with the alarm mechanism M that when the ladderis folded upand thealarm mechanism actuated to prepare the alarm to be sounded whenthe ladder is next again unfolded the lever will be turned about itspivot, so as to break the circuit. When, however, the ladder isunfolded, the tension upon the lever will be released, and by the actionof a spring, 7', it will be brought from the position shown in dottedlines to that shown in full lines, thereby establishing the circuit andgiving notice to the engine house or station, where a suitableelectric-alarm apparatus will be provided.

'Of course the alarm M and the circuit maker and breaker can be locatedin any other desired locality than that herein shown; and, if desired,an alarm could be located outside of the building upon theladder-casing.

In order to strengthen the ladder casing and the ladder, and to providea sufficient means for securing the casing to the wall of a building, Iform the sides ofsaid casing of L or angle iron,as particularly shown inFig. 12, and 1 form the ladder-rail of T-iron, as also shown in saidfigure. I form the sides of the ladder-casing thicker atits angularportion, as at S, and between the ladder-rounds and the outer thinnerportion, 8, of the ladder-casing and the ladder-rounds I arrange washersf upon the pivots on which the rounds are supported and turn, wherebythe latter will be prevented from lateral vibration. These par'ts of thecasing that are thus reduced in thickness afford ample room for therounds; but when the ladder is unfolded the inner ends of the roundswill be broughtinto the contracted space between the thicker portions 8of the casing-walls, and fit within the space between the same, thusaffording additional security against any lateral movement or swaying ofthe ladder while it is in an unfolded condition.

By forming the rail of the ladder-section of T-iron it can be madelight, and at the same time possess such stiffness or rigidity that itwill enable the parts of the ladder to be accurately brought intoposition for lockin g when the ladder-section is folded into the casing.

Having thus described my invention, what-I claim isl. The combination,in a fire-escape, of the pivoted ladder-section with thevertically-slid- In said in g bar J the spring-latch I, pivoted to thefixed casing, and the catch 1', secured to one of the ladder-rounds, asdescribed.

2. The combination of the pivoted laddersection with the latch I, thevertically-sliding bar J, with slots or notches, in which one end ofsaid latch rests, the cam L, and a spring or weight connected with thelatch, substantially as described.

3. The combination of theladder-section, the vertically-slidingtripping-bar, mechanism 0perated by the bar to trip the ladder, theoperating-lever within the apartment, and the lever-connection with thetripping-bar, substantially as set forth.

4. The combination of the tripping-lever within the apartment, thebell-crank lever, and the connections between it and the tripping-lever,and vertically-sliding tripping-bar, the latch operated by it, and thepit'oted ladder, substantially as set forth.

5. The combination of the pivoted laddersection, the connecting-rod),extending from the end of the rounds of the ladder to the bell cranklever, the wire m the alarm M, and mechanism for tripping the ladder andsounding the alarm, substantially as set forth.

6. The combination of tlie pivoted laddersectiou, the system ofwater-pipes, the cock in the waterpipe, the lever-connection with thepivoted ladder, and mechanism for tripping the ladder, and thus turningon and OH the water, substantially as set forth.

7. The combination of the pivoted laddersection with the trippingmechanism operated by the sliding bar J to trip the ladder, thealarm-box at the foot of the ladder, and the wire passing from thealarm-box up over a pulley and connecting with the slide-bar ot' theupper section of the ladder, whereby the ladder can be thrown out by aperson controlling the end of the wire at the alarm-box, sub stantiallyas described.

8. The combination of theladder-section with mechanism for tripping theladder, and the spring-cushion arranged to receive the lower end of theouter ladder-rail when the ladder is tripped, and to thereby take up theshock, substantially as described.

9. The combination, with the ladder capable of being folded anduntolded,substantially as described, of an electric circuit maker andbreaker located in an electric circuit and controlled by the movement ofthe ladder, so as to establish the circuit when the ladder is unfolded,for the purpose of giving an alarm at some remote station.

10. The combination, with thepivoted laddersection, of the L or angleiron forming the two sides of the casing, through which the bolts passto secure the same to a building, said sides being thickened near theircorners to form a contracted space, in which the ends oftheladder-rounds fit when the ladder is unfolded, substantially asdescribed.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in the presence of twosubscribing witnesses.

J. P. DUNN.

\Vitnesses:

ALBERT II. Nonnjrs, J. A. RUTHERFORD.

